Silly Spanish FR-8 Question......
- Thread starter cyclone
- Start date
Is the ".308 version" actually 7.62 CETME, 7.62 NATO or .308 Winchester?
And, basically, can it fire any/all of the above, or......?
It was chambered in 7.62x51 (NATO).
If you have an FR-8 (i.e. on the Mauser 98 action), I wouldn't hesitate to use .308 Win. On the other hand, the FR-7 I used to own would be limited to "starter" .308 Win. handloads.
- Location
- Pile of Bones, SK
Yup, NATO.
Geez, I'm trying to work...
http://w w w.gunsworld.com/spain/cetmefr8_us.html
Is it safe to shoot a 7'62x51 NATO cartridge in a FR-8?
All the sources we've asked said the same: Of course. The FR-8 has a CETME "C" barrel, designed to withstand the presures of the 7'62x51 NATO cartridge (although it's true that the CETME "A" was designed to fire the 7'62x51 CETME, with lesser power), and the locking system of the 1943 rifle (Mauser 1898) designed to withstand the even greater pressures of the 7'92 cartridge.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Designation: FR-8
Origin: Spain
Cartridge: 7'62x51 NATO (.308 Win)
Overall length: 38 5/8"
Barrel length: 17 3/4"
Barrel length with flash hider: 19"
Barrel rifling: 4, dextrosum
Weight: 3,620 Kg (7 lb, 6oz)
Firing system: Mauser system
Magazine capacity: 5 cartridges
Sighting system: Regulable both windage and elevation
Radius between sights: 18 1/8"
Muzzle velocity: 2,700 fps
Main characteristics:
Flash hider / muzzle brake
Bayonet mount
Cleaning kit in a tube under the barrel
Mixed sight: Diopter and V
Able to fire rifle grenades developed for the CETME "C"
http://w w w.gunsworld.com/spain/cetmefr8_us.html
Is it safe to shoot a 7'62x51 NATO cartridge in a FR-8?
All the sources we've asked said the same: Of course. The FR-8 has a CETME "C" barrel, designed to withstand the presures of the 7'62x51 NATO cartridge (although it's true that the CETME "A" was designed to fire the 7'62x51 CETME, with lesser power), and the locking system of the 1943 rifle (Mauser 1898) designed to withstand the even greater pressures of the 7'92 cartridge.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Designation: FR-8
Origin: Spain
Cartridge: 7'62x51 NATO (.308 Win)
Overall length: 38 5/8"
Barrel length: 17 3/4"
Barrel length with flash hider: 19"
Barrel rifling: 4, dextrosum
Weight: 3,620 Kg (7 lb, 6oz)
Firing system: Mauser system
Magazine capacity: 5 cartridges
Sighting system: Regulable both windage and elevation
Radius between sights: 18 1/8"
Muzzle velocity: 2,700 fps
Main characteristics:
Flash hider / muzzle brake
Bayonet mount
Cleaning kit in a tube under the barrel
Mixed sight: Diopter and V
Able to fire rifle grenades developed for the CETME "C"
Does that include Winchester .308 ammo as well??
I read an article at (I think it was) surplusrifle.com that said the .308 had much higher chamber pressure than 7.62x51 NATO. That article also said that it wasn't safe to fire .308 Winchester-type ammo loads in a 7.62 NATO rifle. What's the truth on this??
I read an article at (I think it was) surplusrifle.com that said the .308 had much higher chamber pressure than 7.62x51 NATO. That article also said that it wasn't safe to fire .308 Winchester-type ammo loads in a 7.62 NATO rifle. What's the truth on this??
Check the length of the chamber throat. If it's as long as the throat in my FR-7, there should be no problems with excess pressure.
I found that the only bullet that could get to touch the lands and still have more than0.25" of bullet still in the case was a Sierra 220 gr RNSP
That being said.......my FR-7 shoots really well with about 44 grains of WW748 and a bulk 150 gr. Winchester PSP bullet seated to the cannelure.
I found that the only bullet that could get to touch the lands and still have more than0.25" of bullet still in the case was a Sierra 220 gr RNSP
That being said.......my FR-7 shoots really well with about 44 grains of WW748 and a bulk 150 gr. Winchester PSP bullet seated to the cannelure.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Ah ha! The famous Spanish FR7 and FR8 ammo question. It keeps being retold and repeated, despite empirical research to disprove the fears.
My friend Colin did some research many years ago on this subject - because he kept reading internet postings that contradicted his understanding of the .308 Win / 7.62x51 cartridges. Go to http://ca.geocities.com/snidey@rogers.com/ and read his findings.
For the record, the Spaniards are somewhat guilty of muddying the waters with their reduced pressure CETME experiments. After a while they accepted the NATO specification for 7.62x51 and moved into the big leagues.
You should approach any military surplus rifle cautiously, but I have had no concerns firing white box Winchester 147gr FMJ ball and various surplus military surplus ammunition in my FR8.
My friend Colin did some research many years ago on this subject - because he kept reading internet postings that contradicted his understanding of the .308 Win / 7.62x51 cartridges. Go to http://ca.geocities.com/snidey@rogers.com/ and read his findings.
For the record, the Spaniards are somewhat guilty of muddying the waters with their reduced pressure CETME experiments. After a while they accepted the NATO specification for 7.62x51 and moved into the big leagues.
You should approach any military surplus rifle cautiously, but I have had no concerns firing white box Winchester 147gr FMJ ball and various surplus military surplus ammunition in my FR8.
